On September 19th, we will be adventuring down to the city of Los Angeles which is rich with great architecture and excitement. We will be meeting up for a group photograph at 9:15 at Union Station.

When was the last time you visited the City? We often just visit the City when we need to for taking care of business. Have you ever just walked around the City? The streets of Los Angeles and its architecture are very historic and exciting if we take the time to stop and look. This is a walking field trip to find interesting things to photograph. Many of the images you take can be used in next three upcoming LPA competitions, such as Open, Creative, and Step into the Past.

With architecture and street photography, I recommend both wide angle and telephoto lenses. The use of tripods is restricted in many of the areas. I recommend carrying your gear in either a backpack or an over the shoulder bag. You may encounter interesting people, so be friendly, but not too friendly as you may be asked to give them money. Make sure you have water and snacks. We will be photographing at the Grand Central Market, so you can eat a late lunch there.

Saturday, June 13,2015 was blisteringly hot in the Antelope Valley. Nevertheless a large contingent of LPA photographers gathered for breakfast at Roxy’s in Palmdale. After a hearty meal, said photographers proceeded to the Vincent Hill Arena in Acton to photograph the California Desperadoes at the CMSA Southwest Regional (California Mounting Shooting Association). 

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British Polo Day

What a glorious day at Will Rogers State Park, Santa Monica, the site of British Polo Day.  Thanks to Holly Peskin for arranging the British Polo Day field trip on May 30, 2015.  A large contingent of LPA photographers, including, Sue and Paul Craft, Sue and Bill Liberto, Bonnie and Dwight Francke, Linda and Ron Yagi, Kurtiss and LeRae Humphrey, Eugene Duley, Tina Crowe and Lance, Sarah Osenga, Douglas Wade, Tylene Trout, Rock Myers, David and Chris Wilkins arrived at lunchtime, devoured picnic lunches and spent the afternoon, photographing polo ponies, polo players, the celebrity luncheon, bicycle polo and two polo matches with eight chukkers worth of polo action.  Members of the Thousand Oaks Camera club joined us for the excitement. 

The Ides of March brought unseasonably high temperatures to the LA Basin. Nevertheless ten LPA members went to Huntington Gardens that day to take photographs of the many beautiful flowers and scenes. The Huntington Gardens are about an hour and a half from Lancaster in San Marino and are a terrific place to spend a restful day in a spectacularly appointed garden. There are Chinese Gardens, Japanese Gardens with a show stopping bridge, Australian Garden, tropical, subtropical, and desert gardens and humongous Koi in the ponds. Many of us visited the Huntington Library and Museum on the grounds to view the art and to have a respite from the sun.

View images from our members in the gallery.

LPA members didn’t let cool weather nor raindrops on their lenses dampen their photographer’s spirit on the field trip at Yosemite National Park held from Dec. 2-5.

David and Chris Wilkins planning and co-ordination made great photos as easy as point, focus and shoot.  They scouted out some fabulous areas such as Tunnel View and Valley View, both of which were breath taking.  Holly Peskin also found some very interesting mushrooms in the forest that allowed us to hone our macro skills.

Another highlight of the trip was getting some amazing shots of the moon rising over Half Dome.   However, it took some timely cooperation from Mother Nature.  When the group arrived at Tunnel View both Half Dome and the snow-covered mountain beyond it (Clouds Rest) were socked in by clouds.  Then, just before the moon began to ascend, the clouds lifted and everyone was able to get some terrific pictures of the moon over Yosemite.

Others who participated were Nan and Brent Carder, Pam and Wayne Staley, Tina Crowe, Holly’s husband Sam and Sandi Lieder.

During the three day event the group had a wonderful lunch at the beautiful and historic Ahwahnee Hotel and enjoyed other meals at the food court, the Mountain Cliff Restaurant and the Mountain Room Lounge.

The rooms at Yosemite Lodge at the Falls were spacious, rustic and comfortable. We are already looking forward to a potential field trip to Yosemite National Park next year.

On a late summer weekend in September nine LPA members embarked on an adventure in the Owens Valley led by Mike Carr and Kurtiss Humphrey.  We met in Lone Pine on a Friday and proceed up, up, up to Whitney Portal.  Kurtiss shot a time-lapse sequence; his son flew his quadrocopter with a GoPro on board.  Others of us hiked up the falls to shoot the raging water and still others went downhill to shoot landscape and macro scenes.  We left there in late afternoon for the Alabama Hills where Mike took us on a tour of movie sites and places appropriate for sunset shots.  We dispersed to various locations to photograph the sunset over Mount Whitney and then adjourned for dinner at a new restaurant in Lone Pine, The Grill.

After dinner, a number of us went to the Mobius Arch in the Alabama Hills to photograph the Milky Way over the Arch. We experimented with lighting and even colored light sabers!

At dawn a number of us rose early and shot sunrise over Mount Whitney.  After breakfast and a little down time the group proceeded to Manzanar where the clouds were robust and the scenery magnificent.  Manzanar continues to update itself.  The Pleasure Park has been reconstructed after years of blowing sand had buried it.

Again we dispersed, some to the Bristlecone Pines, some to Laws, some to nap.  We agreed to meet at the highlight destination at 5pm, CARMA.  Kurtiss was there first and secured entry for our group.  What an experience.  Although there were too many clouds for a good sunset shot it was grand to be able to photograph the telescopes from a variety of positions.  The clouds persisted after dark and prevented a Milky Way shot later that evening.  Lightning and rain cut the evening short but we all had a plethora of pictures.

A few hardy souls were out the next morning for the sunrise over Mount Whitney from the Alabama Hills.  Then a well-deserved breakfast and an easy drive home.

Many thanks to Mike and Kurtiss for leading us on this adventure.

View all the member images in the gallery.

On a very hot Saturday in mid-September six LPA members ventured out across the desert past Landers to the Gubler Orchid Farm.  We had a grand tour of the orchid greenhouse replete with stunning orchids of all varieties.  Members were able to set up tripods and shoot in the showroom but shot hand held in the farming greenhouse.  After we had fully photographed the Gubler showroom we proceeded up the road to the Integraton and photographed the buildings and tried to catch their vibe.  Some of us concluded the trip with lunch at Panchos in Hesperia.  Look for orchid images this year.

View all the member images in the gallery.

On an early sunny Thursday morning nine of us gathered at Lucky Roxy’s café  (which was very good with prompt service and bottomless cup coffee) for breakfast before driving to the San Fernando Mission to join up with five more members. We took the obligatory group photo and then scattered to photograph the mission church inside as well as the grounds and historical artifacts. Nan Carder and Sue Craft were available for individual questions about camera settings and composition. The church interior was very dark giving us ample opportunity for HDR shots. In addition to the church there were rooms in low light with historical artifacts including saddles and an ancient wine cellar. There were millwheels, an exposed original stonewall, a fountain and gardens in the bright sun as well as contemporary murals outside.  Tripods got a workout. All of us had a good time and a chance to exchange information about cameras and settings.

Check out all the member images in the gallery.